Abstract

BARNARD, Jaco  and  WEPENER, Cas. Worship service and life: a practical-theological exploration. STJ [online]. 2020, vol.6, n.2, pp.11-34. ISSN 2413-9467.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17570/stj.2020.v6n2.a1.

"Does the Sunday worship service have an impact on believers', Christian identity and way of life?" is the main question explored in this article. Using the Grounded Theory method of empirical research, this research studied the experiences of worshippers (from three different denominations, in the East of Pretoria), with regards to the worship service and liturgical rituals. The focus was on the impact (or lack thereof) of the Sunday worship service, on the daily lives of believers. The findings of the empirical study were brought into conversation with existing literature, with the aim of realising the potential life shaping impact of the worship service. The research concluded that worshippers experienced that the worship service does indeed have an impact on the daily lives of believers, but only if the message thereof is communicated in a way that is relevant to the everyday lives of believers.

Keywords : Practical theology; liturgy; rituals; worship service; worship; fellowship of believers.

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